Multiunit container



Aug. 25, 1936. F. N. JONES ET AL 2,052,475

MUL'IIUNIT CONTAINER Filed March 2'7, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. N. JONES ET AL Aug. 25, 1936.

MULTIUNIT CONTAINER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 27, 19553 Aug. 25, F N JONES ET AL MULTIUNIT CONTAINER Filed Marh 27, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 J2 J5 .Z'dw ra l 525a '72,

F? I w,

Patented Aug. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES MULTIUNIT CONTAINER Frank N. Jones, Chicago, and Edward E. Hodgkin, Quincy, Ill

Application March 27,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a multi-unit container and more particularly to a composite unit in which a plurality oiseparable unit containers are secured.

An object of the invention is to provide a composite package or container in which are releaseably confined, preferably in air-tight relation, a number of smaller and separable units. A further object is to provide an easily-handled and sturdy composite container in which a plurality of unit containers are secured together, each unitserving as a closure for another unit. Another object is to provide a non-refillable container or multi-unit container in which means are provided for removing a portion of the wall of the container to provide a pour opening. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is fully illustrated in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of multi-unit container embodying our invention; Fig. 2, a sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a broken vertical sectional View, the section being taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a broken detail sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a plan of a modified form of container embodying our invention; Fig. 6, a broken enlarged sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 6 of- Fig. Fig. '7, a plan view of another modified form of containerembodying our invention; Fig. 8, a broken sectional View, the section being taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. '7; Fig. 9, a perspective View of another modified form of container embodying our invention; Fig. 10, a perspective view of a key which may be employed in forming a pour opening in the container shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11, a broken sectional View, the section being taken as indicated at line H of Fig. 9; Fig. 12, a side View of a modified form of container embodying my invention; Fig. 13, an end view of a series of containers, such as shown in Fig. 12, connected together; Fig. 14, a broken sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line ll of Fig. 12; Fig. 15, a broken sectional view of mechanism for puncturing the cap of the container; Fig. 16, a broken plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 15, and Fig. 17, a section view, the section being taken as indicated at line H of Fig. 13.

In the form of container illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, A designates a number of super- 1933, Serial Nd. 663,010

posed unit containers; and B, a lid for the top of the container. Each of the containers A has the top edge of its walls crimped or bent over to form a roll it]. Below the roll ID, the walls are provided on their inner sides with a recess 5 ll. Each of the containers A is provided at its bottom with an inwardly turned recess l2 adapted to receive the roll In of the unit therebelow. The recess III also receives the bulge l3 on the bottom portion of the unit A above. Above the recess or groove l2 is formed a bead l4 which serves as a stop to prevent the can or container above from being pressed too far into the container below. -The interlocking wall portions M, H, l2, l3 and I4 provide an air-tight seal 15 and also lock the container parts together into a rigid sturdy composite unit. Substantial pressure may be required in uniting the several units as described, and preferably, a machine is employed for this purpose. In the construction shown, each unit provides a top or closure for the unit below.

In order to separate the units, after they have been pressed together in air-tight relation, we provide at one end an indentation 15 in the 5 bead portion M of each container, as shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. At the same time, the crimped or rolled top edge In of the wall of the container below serves as a fulcrum upon which a sharp pointed instrument l6 may be placed in order to engage the recess l5 and raise the container. With the construction illustrated, there are no protruding handles, etc.; yet, the firmly united units may be readily separated by means of indentations l5 and the fulcrum I 0 therebelow when an instrument I6 is employed. The cap or top closure B may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, the closure is recessed and provided with spring side walls I! curved so as to engage the roll I!) of the side wall. Preferably, the lid B is recessed at l8, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 3, to enable the lid to be pry'ed off.

In the form of container'illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, a. somewhat triangular common head or top I!) is employed. Head I9 is pressed at spaced intervals to draw the metal down into cylindrical caps or tops 20. Preferably, the drawn caps 20 are provided with waved side walls 2| having the curvature shown in Fig. 6, the lower portion of the cap providing a bulge or head 22, and the upper portion of the cap providing an outwardly turned bead 23. A number of unit containers A are secured to the caps 20 in the following manner. The units A a e provided at their tops with a 55 groove or recess 24 adapted to receive the roll or bead 22 of cap 20. The top edge of container A is crimped or turned to form roll 25. Each of the units A is formed under pressure against cap 20 so that the recesses 24 receive the bead 22 of a cap, thus forming a rigid and air-tight connection. In this position, the roll 25 of the container rests against the head 23 of cap 20.

The common head I9 is preferably provided at its sides with a downwardly turned flange 26. The flange may be provided with a perforation 21, as shown more clearly in Fig. 6, adjacent each of the caps 20 so that a sharp pointed instrument 28 may be extended therethrough to force the roll 25 of the container out of engagement with bead 22 of cap 20.

The central space 29 of head I9 may be employed for giving directions, advertisements, etc.

If desired, the head l9 may have secured thereto a number of vertical posts or standards 30 which are substantially the height of the container units A and which, if a number of the units are removed on one side of the head, will serve to support the head in the position illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

In the form of container illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, a common head 3| is shown which is circular and which is provided with a number of caps 32 drawn or pressed outwardly, as shown more clearly in Fig. 8. The cap 32 is preferably threaded at 33 and adapted to receive the threaded end 34 of the unit container A.

In the illustration given, the central portion of the head 3| is raised at 35; also, the head is provided with a laterally depending flange 36. In the operation of the form of container shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the unit, after being filled, is screwed within the threaded cap 32 to form a substantially air-tight seal. The units may be removed one at a time by simply unscrewing them from the caps 32.

The form of container shown in Figs. 9 and 11, is very similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and a detailed description thereof is therefore not needed. The only difference is that a separate cover 31 is provided for each of the units A and rests just below the bottom wall of the unit above. Each of the units has a bead |4, depression I2, and bulge or bead |3. The top of each side wa l is provided with a rather wide shallow recess 38 adapted to receive the depending end flange 39 of the wall 31, as well as the bead l3 of the unit thereabove. The depending flange 39 is preferably curved to fit snugly around the curved portion 40 of the side wall and to provide a tight closure for the container.

Instead of providing the container units A with a depression 15, as shown in the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, we prefer to extend the front wall of each unit A to provide a tab portion 4|. Also, we prefer to weaken the front wall of each unit A along the line indicated by the numeral 42 so that an opening of this shape may be formed when tab 4| is engaged by key 43, and

the portion of the front wall within line 42 removed. The shape of the opening 44, thus formed, is shown in the top unit A illustrated in Pg. 9. The lower portion of the opening 45 is preferably somewhat V-shaped to aid in the pouring of the liquid from the container.

After the top 43 has been engaged by the slot in key 43 and the wall portion within line 42 removed, the can is for practical purposes, nonrefillable.

The form of multiple unit illustrated in Figs. 9

and His particularly useful for manufacturers who place advertising in permanent form on the containers, and who do not wish to have such containers fllled with an inferior product. Such multiple-unit containers are useful for storing lubricant and other products, enabling the purchaser to open one unit at a time as its content is needed.

While the multiple unit in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive has no separate top for each container, and while the container in Figs. 9 and 11 shows an individual top for each unit, it will be understood that each type of multiple unit container may be formed with or without a separate or individual top for each unit. It is also obvious that many other details of construction may be modified or interchanged among the forms of containers shown.

With the forms of containers illustrated, not only is a conveniently handled multi-unit container provided, but also separable air-tight compartments are afforded in which coffee and other foods or materials may be kept, each compartment being opened as desired with the remaining units left undisturbed. For example, in the unit illustrated in Fig. 1, the lid B may be removed and the coffee, for example, contained therein poured out. When coffee is made again the next day, the topmost unit A may be pried off to permit the fresh coffee in the compartment below to be used. Each compartment may be of such a size as to contain a supply of coffee or the like for one meal or one day; and, if desired, the units may be shaped, as illustrated in Fig. 1, to permit easy pouring of the contents. The invention enables a large number of units to be sold and handled as one unit, while at the same time preserving the contents of each unit container in air-tight condition. With the illustration given, solder is not required and a separation of the units is accomplished without cutting through the walls of the containers or through a wall of bonding material. It will be understood, however, that with some phases of applicants invention, a bonding material may be employed if desired.

In the form of container illustrated in Figs. 12-17 inclusive, we prefer to form the container substantially in the shape illustrated, although other shapes maybe employed. Each container 41 is provided on one side with a pressed-out flange portion 48 and on the other side with a recessed portion 49, the recess 49 being adapted to frictionally engage and receive the pressed-out portion 48 of an adjacent container. With this construction, a series of containers may be pressed together and frictionally held as one composite container, as illustrated more clearly in Fig. 13.

After the container or containers have been filled, we permanently secure to the neck 50 of each container a top or cap 5|. The cap 5| preferably has side flanges which are spun around the rolled top 52 of neck 50 so as to make the cap a permanent part of the container. A container of this construction can be opened by puncturing the cap 5| or some other part of the container. When the walls or permanent cap have been punctured, the container is rendered non-refillable.

7 Any suitable means may be employed for puncturing the cap. In the illustration given in Figs. 15 and 16, an instrument having a depressed body portion 53 bridges the top of the breather pipe 54 of a crank case. The instrument carries in its central saddle portion a burr or star-shaped cutter 55, provided with a sharp point adapted to pierce the cap 5|. The instrument 53 is provided with a handle 56 which may be conveniently grasped by the operator.

In the operation of the tool 53, the handle 56 is grasped by the operator and the saddle portion 53 placed in the position illustrated in Fig. 15. The cap of the container 41 is then pressed against the pointed cutter 55 and either the tool or the container'twisted to enlarge the opening in the cap. The oil or other material in the container then flows freely into the breather pipe and thence into the crank case.

It will be understood that the containers may be made of metal, alloys, paper, composition products and any other suitable material. The foregoing detailed description has been given for cleamess of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

We claim:

1. A multi-unit container comprising a plurality of superposed unit containers, each of said containers having its top edge portion turned to form a bead and having its bottom portion provided with a groove encircling the unit, said unit containers when pressed together in superposed relation providing an air-tight connection, the bottom groove of each unit being engaged by the bead-edge of the unit therebelow, and a depression in the side wall of the container slightly above each groove and adjacent the bead of the unit therebelow whereby an instrument bearing upon said head as a fulcrum and having its point engaging said depression may be employed to readily separate the container units.

2. A multi-unit container comprising a p1u rality of superposed unit containers, each container having its top portion turned to form a bead and having its bottom portion provided with a groove, said containers being pressed together to bring said bead edges within said grooves to interlock said containers, each of said containers being provided with a depression slightly above the groove thereof and aligned with the top of the bead of the container therebelow.

FRANK N. JONES. EDWARD E. HODGKIN. 

